Home The Constitution Part IV Article 48A

Art. 48A Part IV: Directive Principles of State Policy

Protection and Improvement of Environment and Wildlife

Exact text — Constitution of India

The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country. [Added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976]

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

Added in 1976 (alongside the related Fundamental Duty in Article 51A(g)), this Article gives India's environmental protection framework its constitutional foundation — directing the State to actively protect and improve the environment, forests and wildlife, not merely refrain from harming them.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is the policy root of India's major environmental laws — the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 — and courts have repeatedly cited it alongside Article 21 (right to a clean environment) to justify strong environmental enforcement, even though this Article itself isn't directly enforceable.

Landmark Cases

How courts have interpreted this Article

M.C. Mehta v. Union of IndiaAIR 1987 SC 1086 — One of many M.C. Mehta environmental rulings that reference this Article and Article 51A(g) together with Article 21 to justify strict environmental protection standards. Verify this case

Read alongside this one

Environmental Rights Art. 51a(g) — Protect the Environment

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 48A

Is this Article the main legal basis for environmental protection in India?

It's the constitutional policy foundation, but the actually enforceable legal framework comes from specific statutes (Environment Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act, etc.) combined with the judicially-expanded Article 21 right to a clean environment.

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The text above reproduces Article 48A of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.